Restomod Royalty AAM 1968 Plymouth Barracuda Build

When you're 6-foot-3 with a V8 dream, certain realities start to settle in—like the fact that fitting into a Cobra isn't exactly comfortable. For Piet Botha, that realization was the beginning of something even better.

Piet had always been drawn to American muscle, with a lifelong admiration for C2 Corvettes. But comfort, sentiment, and practicality pointed him in a different direction. With the help of his son, Drikus Botha—co-founder of All American Muscle (AAM)—Piet found himself looking at a different kind of legend: the 1968 Plymouth Barracuda.

Builder: All American Muscle (Pty) Ltd
Location: Pretoria
Vehicle: 1968 Plymouth Barracuda

Originally bought by Drikus back in 2012 as a personal project, fate intervened in early 2013 when another '68 Cuda crossed his path. That opened the door for Piet to take the reins of the current build, and what followed was a meticulous four-year, after-hours father-son project that would create not only a stunning restomod, but a family legacy.

A True American Resurrection

At the time Piet took ownership, the Barracuda was already in the body shop, just shy of paint. That gave him the chance to make a bold personal statement—Ford Focus Winning Blue, sprayed with Sikkens Automotive Paint, would become the car’s skin. The body was solid, complete, and rust was minimal—just enough to remind you it was a '60s Mopar.

Bodywork took about six months, with Trueway Panelbeaters (thanks to Fabio Cabula) making sure everything was laser-straight and perfect. Piet’s advice to future builders? "Only go with reputable shops that offer guarantees—they need to stand by their work."

Under the Skin: Restomod with a Mopar Soul

The original chassis remains, but nearly everything has been reworked or upgraded. Suspension? Still Mopar, but fully rebuilt with Moog components for a smooth, confident ride. The 7¼ rear end is original, while disc brakes all roundensure it stops as well as it goes.

The heart of the beast? A Chrysler 318 LA V8, salvaged from a ’73 Dodge Custom. Rebuilt by Steve Snyman at Starlight Machine Works, it's paired with a TorqueFlite 904 transmission. Inside the block, things remain largely stock, but above it lives an Edelbrock Performer intake and 500CFM carb, pushing out a strong 300hp and 335 lb-ft of torque.

Exhaust gasses are dumped through custom stainless headers and a full system by JR Exhaust, while ignition duties are handled by a HEI distributor and FTF Plumbing components.

Interior Fit for a Muscle Car King

Step inside and it’s clear this isn’t your average Mopar. The cabin was entirely custom-built by AAM, designed specifically with tall drivers in mind. Audi A3 seats were reworked and fully adjustable for extra comfort, paired with a Grant steering wheel and a custom dashboard featuring nostalgic U.S.-imported gauges.

Everything—right down to the trim and dash paneling—was done with function and form in mind. It's a blend of retro charm and modern comfort that suits the car perfectly.

Rolling Stock & Details That Matter

Those aggressive 15x8 Aero Steel wheels give the car a subtle Nascar edge, wrapped in Hercules HP 400 rubber (235/60R15 front, 255/60R15 rear). Chrome details sparkle in all the right places—the grille and taillight bezels have been restored and rechromed, while the taillights and fuel tank were sourced and imported brand new. HD headlights and polished glass round off a clean, precise exterior.

And here’s a detail for the die-hards: while it’s a 1968 model, it’s running a 1969 rear end—a small but unique twist that sets this Cuda apart.

Four Years, One Dream

Built after hours over four years, Piet’s Barracuda is more than just a car—it’s a full-scale family project that turned into a dream machine. “The end result is far better than I ever imagined,” Piet says. “It has more performance, more luxury—just more of everything.”